Over the course of the calendar year, car production for the UK market and exports both fell by around 8 per cent. Total car production is predicted to return to growth in 2026, with output set to rise by more than 10 per cent, according to the trade body's report published on Thursday. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: '2025 was the toughest year in a generation for UK vehicle manufacturing. Stellantis' Ellesmere Port site is Britain's first electric-only mass vehicle production plant where the electric Vauxhall and Opel Combo, Citroën ë-Berlingo, Peugeot e-Partner and Fiat E-Doblo are made. However, the severe lack of demand for electric vans - which is far lower than appetite for electric cars - has seen the company's UK outputs fall off a cliff edge.